Friday, October 17, 2008

Somehow this wonderful Melbourne indy pop band passedme by, until recently that is, when I discoveredthem due to some nice folk over at the ausrock forum.With obvious influences such as Billy Bragg, the Smithsand the Housemartins, you can tell your going to geta fine band. Their songs are wonderful pop about theeveryday, relationships and the such, their lyrics areclever, witty, whimsical and heartfelt.Take these lyrics from the song "Synchronized Sinking "

You don't need to ask me twice I'm not averse to giving adviceOn a bar stool basis Four o'clock sounds fine to meI'll meet you at the libraryThere's privacy in public places Oh, but, reader, heal thyself Put the book back on the shelf Something's obviously wrongYour face is all day longIt was lovely when you laughed Come on – please get it off your chestIt's a commonplace but I'd suggestA problem shared is a problem halved Kick a stone across the roadExplain or you'll explode

I was impressed too with the opening trackwith is really beautiful.With some 11 albums and 5 Eps to their credit,having started back in 1993 and having justreleased a new album, this is a band everyoneshould know about. I'm glad to have finallytaken notice.

Music To Hold Hands To - Martin Donald

You can't keep a secretBut you keep a diary anywayAnd you get away with murderBecause you've got a way with words Yeah, and I know where you keep it:Under where your underwear is meant to be But usually it's all over the floorI can't see the carpet anymore

If you arose by any other name You'd smell as sweetAnd you'd look just the same

I could never understand you Hating music to hold hands to Sometimes something you can dance to Is the last thing that you needYeah, and squandering aSunday On a 499-piece jigsaw puzzleDoesn't trouble me one little bitOne little bit!

I feel like going visiting this evening Across the rooftops of North CarltonWhile the suburb is asleepMy friends live in renovators' dreamsIt's as euphemistic as it seems

Track List01. Music To Hold Hands To02. Synchronized Sinking03. The Great Dividing Range04. Beach Boys Medley05. Broken Bones06. First Cousin07. Don't Bring Your Work To Bed08. Fear Of Rollercoasters09. Harmonicas And Trams10. The Forgetting Of Wisdom11. Self-Preservation12. How To Tie A Tie13. All The Recipes I've Ever Ruined14. The Year Of Driving Languorously

That Striped Sunlight Sound.

Coming to you from Brisbanethe home of the striped sunlightsound, this is a my little placein cyberspace to share themusic of Australiawhich may have passed you by.Mostly rare and out of printalbums from artists that nevermade it into the mainstreamand my recollections concerningthem. If you like somethingplease leave a message in thecomments, if you don't,maybe you'd rather not seeyour music here, or maybe myrecollections are wrong,please leave a message too.If you find any links no longer workplease let me know and I'll fix itI'm on myspace you can find me at myspace.com/stripedsunlightsoundand if you preferfacebook.com/people/Bob